Tomorrow's Heroes: Taylor

The standout game of Curtis Taylor's season came on the MCG, when the Vic Metro forward kicked three goals for his side in its win against Vic Country.

A couple in particular showed Taylor's skillset, with the Calder Cannons forward slotting difficult shots from near the boundary to highlight his ability around goal.

There were times Taylor took his talents into the midfield while playing for the Cannons this season but most of his work was done in the front half.

Taylor was unable to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine due to an adductor strain he suffered in the lead-up to the week at Marvel Stadium.

Taylor is a smart player who can cause headaches with his play across half-forward. He leads well, is a good mark and an even better kick – he doesn't waste his opportunities and he makes life a lot easier for players around him with his disposal.

He averaged a goal a game and 18 disposals playing for the Cannons this year and at his size (187cm) he can play as a mid-sized goalkicking option.

The question clubs have Taylor is his speed. He's quick of mind and gets away from his opponent through knowing where to be and where to go, but he doesn't have top-end pace. Clubs have also only seen snippets of him in the midfield, so would be picking him unsure if that's where he'll end up playing.

Taylor is a little like West Coast's retired forward Mark LeCras: he's medium sized but can lead like a marking forward and convert his chances.

Taylor probably fits into the latter stages of the first round or somewhere in the second round of the draft.

A class act who doesn't need to get huge numbers of the ball to impact a game.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs